Visiting Central California Coast

Whether it’s Halloween or the holidays, California’s central coast features more than enough to do with the rest of 2012. Home to cities like Monterey, Santa Barbara, and Morro Bay, the Golden coast's mid-section offers an array of annual festivals, and the Channel Islands National Park. Enjoy the park’s guided hikes, Tidepool Talk, and the From Shore to Sea Lecture Series throughout fall and winter. Check out seasonal city events like the 2012 California Lemon Festival, the 2012 Santa Barbara Beer Festival, or the 2012 Lighted Boat Parade in Morro Bay. Seasonal celebrations and outdoor activities shine throughout the Golden Coast.

Just north of Los Angeles are coastal communities like Carpinteria, Goleta, and Santa Barbara. Just outside of the Los Padres National Forest, across the Santa Barbara Channel from Channel Islands National Park, these central coast cities yield plenty of recreation and events. Held in mid-October, the 2012 California Lemon Festival is set in Girsh Park in Goleta, followed by the 2012 Santa Barbara Beer Festival at Elings Park on October 20th. Other Santa Barbara events include the Lemon Festival & Car Show, Halloween Safe Trick or Treat Downtown, and the Veterans Day Parade down State Street.

Morro Bay sits just west of San Luis Obisbo, and north of the Morro Bay State Park. This coastal city has a plethora of events remaining on its 2012 calendar. Don’t miss October events like the 2012 Morro Bay Harbor Festival, the 2012 Morro Bay Olympic Distance Triathlon, and the Morro Bay Beer Festival – a new addition to the bay. For those visiting the central coast during the holidays, catch the Christmas Street Faire in late November, and the Lighted Boat Parade in early December – featuring hundreds of yuletide vessels on display in Morro Bay.

November yields many festivals along the central California coast as well. Don’t miss the 2012 Harvest Celebration Weekend in Pismo Beach in early November, followed by the Veterans Day Celebration on the Pier. Santa Cruz presents the O'Neill Cold Water Classic throughout early November, while Ventura hosts the 2012 Ventura Restaurant Week and 2012 Ventura County Star Women Today Expo.

Add a touch of silver to the Golden Coast and you’ve got the perfect California Christmas getaway on your schedule. Check out “A Chanticleer Christmas" at Mission Carmel Basilica in Carmel, or head to Santa Barbara for the Downtown Holiday Parade. The Big Band Christmas Surprise! starts in late November in San Jose at the Theatre on San Pedro Square, or join the Santa Cruz Bird Club for the 2012 Christmas Bird Count. Ventura visitors may also enjoy the 2012 Channukah Festival, or the Ventura Harbor Holiday Parade of Lights and Fireworks.